Well hello once again, this is Billy Jeffrey and welcome to my eighth and final “True Beauty” blog.
First off, if you watched episode No. 8, the final episode last night, Thank You! “True Beauty” was one of the hottest shows on television. Over 10 million viewers are tuned in each week to catch the drama of my housemates and I and we are all very thankful you’re there with us.
I have received thousands of e-mails, MySpace and Facebook messages and text messages from people here in the valley and around the world and I want you to all know I really appreciate your feedback — positive or negative. Many of you have have visited my GNC store to meet me in person and I can’t tell you how much fun that is for me.
It’s 1:27 a.m. and once again I am writing to you from Los Angeles. I just got back from a little spot on the Sunset Strip, where people from production, Joel, Nole’ and I watched the final episode just blocks away from where it all began – where 10 people from all over the country began a journey called “True Beauty.”
First, I have to tell you about Sunday night. The Oscars are the biggest night in Hollywood and I was right in the middle of it. Pre- and post-award show parties, red carpets and shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in show business, and I was actually “supposed” to be there this time.
What a feeling to be around such talented and gifted people that began their career with a dream. A dream to be an entertainer, the same dream I have had since the sixth grade. People you all know were actually coming up to me saying, “Billy, right? From True Beauty? We really hope you win. We can’t wait for tomorrow night!”
Monday began with mixed emotions, but that doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt. How did I get into such an amazing experience? How did I make it all the way to the final episode? I can’t believe that it’s all ending.
I don’t have to fill in gaps this time. To be honest, for the first time in this experience, what actually happened is exactly what you saw in Monday night’s episode. This was by far the best of the eight episodes and it was all “right.”
I’ll be honest: I have never been driven by money. It has never been the focal point of my life and never will be. Throughout the competition I never really thought of the $100,000, probably because I never thought I would make it that far. A few times though, I did catch myself wondering how that money would break down …
$100,000 (winnings)
$40,000 (game show tax)
$10,000 (goes to God)
$10,000 (goes to charity)
After paying off some bills etc., that leaves less than $20,000 dollars. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s a great chunk of change, but I’m not going to be rich, you know what I mean? So the money was never the motivation.
You see, it’s no secret I have been dreaming of Hollywood for a long time. But what most people don’t know is, I have also been buying the Most Beautiful People issue of People magazine for years. I used to dream what it would be like to be chosen and placed in a category unmatched by any other on planet earth.
To be honest, being interviewed by the editor of People magazine, Jess Cagle, and even to be in the running for the issue was such an honor. To come so close to the magazine that I’ve seen on the newsstands around the world and not make it, is heartbreaking.
But like I said, if you look at the bigger picture, I just don’t see how I could have possibly lost last night. I am walking away from “True Beauty” with much more than cash and a title; I think we all are. I’m walking away with an experience that has given me so much more than I gave to it.
To Joel Rush, my trash talkin’ reality TV best friend, thank you for not only the shirt off your back literally, but being there every step of the way. I don’t have to say any more, you know you’re the man – just ask you! Ha ha, I love you bro.
As for Julia, the judges picked the “True Beauty” without a doubt. My description of Julia could last for hours, but since it’s 4:41 a.m., I’ll give you this. She is, and will be, one of the most caring, most loving, most energetic and most beautiful people I will have ever had the pleasure of meeting in my lifetime.
One story I have never told until now is that after we found the “spy room” I went upstairs smiling all the way. Smiling, because I knew finally the “nice person” would finish first. All these years of wanting validation for being what I thought to be a good person, I was going to be there for it. But, I knew it wasn’t going to be me.
As the final night in the house began to wind down and Julia sat on her bed, I sat down next to her and whispered, “Sleep soundly Julia, tomorrow you’re going to win it.” After a hug and a smile back, I still don’t think she believed me, but the rest is now reality TV history.
I can’t describe the feeling of knowing that I will be able to check in from time to time and live through her success as she begins her new journey. I called Julia shortly after the episode ended tonight and although I won’t tell you what was said, I have a special place in my heart for that girl.
As another chapter of my life begins, I can’t tell you how fun it’s been writing these blogs and sharing my thoughts and experiences with all of you. I can only hope you have learned a few lessons along the way as my housemates and I have. The first is that I am living proof that almost anything can happen – if you set “goals.”
To my critics over the years, and you know who you are, you have mocked me, made fun of me and even went as far as starting vicious rumors about me. I hope this show gave you some insight on me as a person and what I’m about.
Pay special attention to the fact that although I knew most of my housemates were doing the same as you have, I did not say one negative thing about anyone. That’s just not me and it never will be. You see, your hatred toward me only motivates me to be a better person and a better man.
Thank you ABC, Ashton and Tyra, Michael, Lisa, Shelia and Denise for the opportunity to be a part of this project and something so special. I hope someday I can repay the favor, although I don’t see how.
To the judges Cheryl, Nole’ and Vanessa: Thank you, thank you for so many lessons learned. Since I was a kid, people have always said to me, “You’ve got something.” Well, you were the first three people ever to tell me, “You’re missing something.” Thank you for helping me find “confidence,” the missing piece of my puzzle. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, I love you guys.
To my housemates: Hadiyyah-Lah, Ashley, Monique, CJ, Chelsea, Ray, Laura, Joel and Julia, a sincere thank you. Each one of you has made an impact on my life, some very positive and some very negative. We will be a part of each other’s lives forever and although it’s sad but true, some of us will most likely never be friends. As hard as that is for me to say, I wish you all the very best.
A special thanks to everyone that has been there for me. My family, my friends, my teachers, my classmates, my coaches, my pastors, my employees, my customers, my Chippendale family, friends and fans, all the “True Beauty” cast, crew (who worked the hardest) and fans, the media, the city of Lewiston, the state of Idaho, the great Northwest and everyone in between. I can only hope you are proud of what kind of man I am becoming and what kind of “True Beauty” I will be.
What’s next? Only time will tell. What’s for sure is this, I am still the small town kid from Lewiston, Idaho. You see, the show isn’t over for Billy Jeffrey, it’s finally just begun.
I return to Lewiston March 1 and will be at GNC daily through March 7 inside the Lewiston Center Mall.
Did you miss episode No. 8? Remember, “True Beauty” is available online www.abc.com. What are your thoughts? Contact Billy at www.billyjeffrey.com and visit the abc.com message boards and let them know your thoughts.
